Universal Weekly (1923-1926)

Vol. 22, No. 5 Universal Weekly 17 Century Announces 1925*26 Schedule Improvement in Production and Novelty Innovations to Mark New Year’s Output of Century Comedies THE Century Film Corporation, producer of Century Comedies, is just entering upon the most ambitious release program ever projected in the history of that comedy company. The 1925-26 release schedule, just approved by Julius and Abe Stem, president and vice-president respectively of the corporation, marks a great advance over any previous year’s output. In planning the 1925-26 comedies, the Stem brothers took several radical steps. In the first place, following a long and careful survey of the comedy field, they determined to make outstanding improvements in stories, in studio facilities, in production personnel and in the quality of the players and supporting casts. Another innovation was a distinct grouping of the season’s output in star series, the pictures made by each star, such as Wanda Wiley, Edna Marian and the others to be considered as a separate brand of pictures. This was decided upon when returns early this year conclusively proved that Miss Wiley and Miss Marian had built up for themselves a strong clientele and that their comedies, as such, were in unusual demand. Thus, the star series plan is expected to be of great advantage to exhibitors, by reason of the fact that the Century stars have varying boxoffice values in different theatres. A third innovation was the acquisition of the screen rights for a novelty series of two-reel comedies. This is the Buster Brown Comedy series, being made from the celebrated newspaper cartoon comics of the noted artist, R. F. Outcault. The Century Company is making these pictures as straight comedies, not as animated cartoons. The result is a high class brand of two-reelers which already have won a place for themselves on the firstrun screens, although only two of the series have been completed so far. The Century schedule for 1925-26 shows a contemplated release of Red Riding Hood, of the fairy story, and Peter the Great the role of the wolf. This two-reeler is partly in hand-color film. Where it has been shown it is regarded as one of the best novelties offered for the coming season. It is scheduled for release November 21st, and is hailed as an ex Tlie screen’s best stunt comedienne, Wanda Wiley The delight of kids and grown-ups — Buster, Tige and Mary Jane Century Comedies little blonde queen, Edna Marian 52 comedies, one a week during the period from August 5th, 1925, to July 28th, 1926. In addition, there will be a Century Special production, “Little Red Riding Hood.” This is a novelty two reeler made with Peter the Great and Baby Peggy. Baby Peggy plays the role of Little T cellent holiday special. The 52 Centuries consist of a series of twelve Buster BrownCentury Comedies, a series of twelve Wanda Wiley Century Comedies, a series of twelve Edna MarianCentury Comedies, six comedies featuring Eddie Gordon, six featuring A1 Alt and four featuring Charles King. The Buster Browns are being made by Charles Lamont, one of Century’s veteran comedy directors. Little Arthur Trimble has the role of Buster, Doreen Turner plays Mary Jane, and Pete, the comedy dog, plays Tige, Buster’s famous canine companion. The two Buster Brown comedies already completed are “Educating Buster” and “Buster Be Good.” They have been pre-released in such big first-run houses as the Gi'anada in San Francisco, in the Forum Theatre, Los Angeles; the State Theatre, Minneapolis; Loew’s State Theatre, Cleveland, and Ohio Theatre, Indianapolis. They are characterized as one of the biggest type comedy offerings on the market this year. The twelve Wanda Wiley comedies stand out as a distinct addition to the comedy field. Made under a new and improved production policy, they are being offered as a series which can be featured. Included in this series are such comedies as “Won by Law,” “Cupid’s Victory,” “A Winning Pair,” “A Speedy Marriage,” “Going Good,” “Her Lucky Leap” and “Yearning for Love.” Many of these have been pre-released in New York and other territories and are proving excellent drawing cards. The Edna Marian comedies also form an exceptionally promising series for the coming months. Miss Marian has jumped into popularity during the last halfyear. She now has a definite box office standing of her own, and her series of twelve comedies for 1925-26 are being widely booked, H. M. Heruel, sales manager for Century, reports. Miss Mar(Cont’d on Page 34) CHARLES KING